A Thematic History of the City of Cairns and Its Regional Towns

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A Thematic History of the City of Cairns and Its Regional Towns A Thematic History of the City of Cairns and its Regional Towns 2011 Prepared for the Department of Environment & Resource Management, Queensland and the Cairns Regional Council This Report has been undertaken in accordance with the principles of the Burra Charter adopted by ICOMOS Australia This document has been completed by Jane McKenzie, Ros Coleman and David Wixted © heritage ALLIANCE, Cairns Regional Council & Department of Environment & Resource Management 2011 Document Control Date Issue Signoff 9 June 95% DRAFT 15 August 2011 FINAL .pdf DRWx heritage ALLIANCE Job 2009-20 Cairns Thematic History CONTENTS STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE............................................................................................................................................. v INTRODUCTION 1 Background and Brief................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Study Team ................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Copyright .................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Abbreviations.............................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 What is a Thematic History?....................................................................................................................................................... 3 Thematic History as a Continuing Process................................................................................................................................. 4 The City of Cairns and the Cairns Region.................................................................................................................................. 5 Cairns’ Historical Themes – What Defines the Region?............................................................................................................. 5 1. SHAPING CAIRNS’ ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................................................................... 10 1.1 Defining the Character of Cairns’ Natural Landscape.................................................................................................. 10 1.2 Defining the Character of Cairns’ Climate.................................................................................................................... 10 2. PEOPLING CAIRNS.................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1 The First Inhabitants of the Cairns Region................................................................................................................... 12 2.2 Arrival of New Settlers to the Cairns Region................................................................................................................ 13 2.3 Conflict and Interaction Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous People ................................................................. 20 3. DEVELOPING AND UTILISING THE LAND IN THE CAIRNS REGION.................................................................... 22 3.1 Exploring and Surveying the Land ............................................................................................................................... 22 3.2 Utilising Natural Resources.......................................................................................................................................... 27 3.3 Agricultural Pursuits ..................................................................................................................................................... 29 4. DEVELOPING CAIRNS’ LOCAL AND REGIONAL INDUSTRIES............................................................................. 32 4.1 Experimentation in Agriculture ..................................................................................................................................... 32 4.2 The Sugar Industry....................................................................................................................................................... 34 4.3 Financing...................................................................................................................................................................... 39 4.4 Informing the Cairns Community.................................................................................................................................. 40 4.5 Tourism in the Cairns Region....................................................................................................................................... 42 5. WORKING IN THE CAIRNS REGION ........................................................................................................................ 45 5.1 Working for the Sugar Cane Industry........................................................................................................................... 45 6. LINKING CAIRNS ....................................................................................................................................................... 47 6.2 Moving goods and people to and from Cairns by ship................................................................................................. 51 6.3 Forming Cairns’ Roads ................................................................................................................................................ 55 6.4 Establishing Communication by Air.............................................................................................................................. 58 6.5 Establishing Telecommunications and Postal Services............................................................................................... 60 7. BUILDING SETTLEMENTS, TOWNS, AND CITIES IN THE CAIRNS REGION........................................................ 63 7.1 Planning and forming settlements................................................................................................................................ 63 7.2 Developing Urban Services and Amenities.................................................................................................................. 74 7.3 Buildings and Architecture ........................................................................................................................................... 84 8. ADMINISTERING CAIRNS ......................................................................................................................................... 93 8.1 Establishing Law and Order in Cairns.......................................................................................................................... 93 8.2 Establishing Local Government in Cairns .................................................................................................................... 94 8.3 State government presence in Cairns.......................................................................................................................... 96 8.4 Establishing Customs Services in Cairns..................................................................................................................... 97 8.5 Defending the Country ................................................................................................................................................. 98 9. CREATING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN CAIRNS....................................................................... 103 9.1 Worshipping in Cairns................................................................................................................................................ 103 9.2 Participating in Cultural Activities in Cairns................................................................................................................ 106 9.3 Joining Organisations, Clubs and Societies............................................................................................................... 108 9.4 Pursuing Leisure Activities......................................................................................................................................... 111 10. ESTABLISHING SCHOOLS AND PLACES OF LEARNING IN CAIRNS AND ITS REGION................................. 121 10.1 Primary Schooling...................................................................................................................................................... 121 heritage ALLIANCE Job 2009-20 Cairns Thematic History 10.2 Secondary Schooling ................................................................................................................................................. 123 10.3 Tertiary Education...................................................................................................................................................... 125 11. PROVIDING HEALTH AND WELFARE SERVICES ................................................................................................
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